Do you know how to drive a "stick shift"?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (239264)
Walnut Creek, California
July 25, 2026 12:30pm CST
I heard on the radio the other day that fewer and fewer Americans know how to drive a stick shift automobile. I also heard that stick shifts cost more, rather than less, than an automatic of the same model. Most are sports cars.
In Europe,I noted that more people still drive stick shifts, relative to here in the US. This was a few years ago. though I have no idea what most people drive in the Philippines or India.
I have mostly driven sticks across my lifetime. But my (recent) Chevy Silverado and my current Nissan small pick-up are both automatics.
Do you know how to drive a stick? What do most people drive where you live?
9 people like this
7 responses
@MarieCoyle (60670)
•
30m
I learned to drive on a three speed on the column…over the years I have owned and driven some cars that were stick shift. Fun to drive until you have little ones and then sometimes mama just can’t manage a stick shift with a pack of children. My oldest son had a stick for some time until last year, I enjoyed driving it. Some things you don’t ever forget. I taught all of my kids how to drive a stick as well as an automatic. I wanted them to know how in case they ever needed to.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (211161)
• United States
Just now
Yes, but haven't in years. I think they are falling out of favor.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (123449)
• United States
12m
One of the things Europeans were saying they liked about America during the World Cup besides how nice we are, Ranch dressing, and a lot less roundabouts, was that so many cars here are automatic. While my dad can drive a stick shift, I can’t, and don’t care to learn. Most of the people I know who can drive a stick are guys though.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (53292)
• Mojave, California
Just now
I never learned, I did try a couple of times but ended up getting frustrated because its hard to learn in this populated area. We started in parking lot at night but this place is crazy, bunch of people still roll up on you.
They tried to teach me in one of my last days in National Guard also, its best I do not learn, I told them. One less thing to worry about with these crazy California drivers. Its my excuse and I am sticking to it. 
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129254)
• Gainesville, Florida
1h
My current truck is an automatic, but most of the vehicles I have driven in my lifetime were stick shifts. I would prefer stick over automatic, but like you said it is more expensive to get the stick option.
1 person likes this
@anya12adwi (10361)
• India
1h
I have forgotten driving car but Indians mostly use stick shift cars, although many are buying automatic cars!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (87935)
• United States
1h
Yes, I know how to drive a manual transmission. If I had my druthers, I’d still be driving one. Alas, my back doesn’t like me sitting in traffic holding the clutch down. 
